Gênesis 43:1-7

XLIII.
THE SECOND VISIT TO EGYPT.

(7) The man asked us straitly. — In Gênesis 42:13 they appear rather as volunteering a statement of their family relations than as having it wrung from them by cross-examination. But really this history must be taken as explaining and supplementing the former. Accused of being spies, they would naturally give an account of themselves, and Joseph, anxious to know about his father and brother, would certainly put numerous questions to them concerning their home and family. And they would answer them fully and frankly, little suspecting who was the questioner, and what was his real reason for exacting Benjamin’s presence in proof of their trustworthiness:

Of our state and of our kindred. — Heb., concerning ourselves and our birthplace (see Gênesis 12:1; Gênesis 24:4; Gênesis 24:7; Gênesis 31:3), that is, our home. Questions about ourselves would be such as those given: “Is your father yet alive? Have ye a brother?” And besides these, Joseph would interrogate them closely concerning the place whence they came, and the state of things there.